View your co-founder as your first, permanent hire. A way to manage the risk of getting it wrong is to start by working with the person as a consultant. Then mo

View your co-founder as your first, permanent hire. A way to manage the risk of getting it wrong is to start by working with the person as a consultant. Then move to part-time and finally to a partner. If you cannot work together, its better to part ways when the person is a consultant than when they are a partner. Communicate and document (in writing) your expectations clearly. You should also ask the other person for their expectations, and listen carefully. This is marriage, not dating, so you really should be clear about what you're looking for in a long term partner. Define roles and responsibilities, expectations, growth goals, work styles, etc.